Karen Wintrow is probably the most dedicated and hard working person on behalf of the village there currently is. Just one example of the competence she brings to everything she does for Yellow Springs is the way she organized the recent Spring Street Fair, which was not only the biggest and best yet, but also the most logistically challenging. She puts the same kind of effort and dedication into her role on Village Council. So, I was disappointed when I read in the News this week that Wintrow is not yet committed to running this fall for a second council term.
I can understand that with her two demanding positions as Chamber Coordinator and Village Council Member she must be stretched to the limits (She is also a wife and mother.). But in a conversation during a chance meeting in town recently, I urged her to run for reelection. With her common sense, pragmatic and business oriented approach to carving a direction for this town, she provides a balance that is needed on council. Her collaboration on behalf of the Chamber with Kids Playhouse, the Arts Council and other arts groups around town in promoting Yellow Springs is an outstanding example of how she has the eagerness and ability to forge a coalition that recognizes that in this village art and commerce are often one.
It would be a mistake for anyone, no matter what their vision for the future of this town might be, to think that the best way to govern this village is with an unfettered council that is entirely of one mind on virtually every issue from the day-one drop of the gavel. Wintrow and Kathryn Van der Heiden, who, the News reported, is also undecided about a second council term, have been providing that balance on the current council. It would be a shame to lose either one of them. But I am singling out Wintrow here, because of the way she has brought a diverse Chamber membership together to promote Yellow Springs as a destination. She brings that same consensus building ability to her seat on Council.
So, if you see Karen on the street, please thank her for all she does for this village and tell her we need her on council for another four years.
Posts
3 comments:
Interesting op ed.
But you don't address the problem Karen has with trying to serve two different sets of goals - The goals of the Chamber are much different that those of Village residents.
Whenever decisions affecting the local economy are on the Council table, Both Karen and Lori A. bring strong personal interest in the success of downtown businesses -Karen because the Chamber pays her to and Lori because she is a business owner herself. They are naturally personally affected by the success of that segment of the local economy more than the vast majority of residents are. It has to color how they see economic development and what they think Council should do to promote economic development.
The goals of the Chamber and individual downtown businesses don't automatically serve all villagers. Sometimes they are incompatible.
Wintrow and Askeland both have influenced and supported Council's emphasis on local, primarily retail, business for economic development. They have failed to explain exactly how that will bring in enough new revenue to the Village to support Village operations which are supposed to serve all residents. Downtown shops and being an arts town makes us attractive to day trippers. So far day trippers don't spend enough to support the Village economy. Not by a long shot.
Unless effective work is done to bring new employers and new families to town, current residents will be burdened by high property taxes and high utility costs. That won't help make new young families want to live here or attract new employers with high paying jobs.
Strengthening local business will always be only one part of the equation. The emphasis on arts and downtown business helps Karen's employer and Lori's husband's business. But it won't help all villagers.
Karen and Lori aren't doing anything wrong. But I am suggesting they have a strictly personal interest that the vast majority of voters don't share.
Every council member brings their experience, expectations and personal interests into the council. I like the variety of interests in the mix and don't feel Karen's personal interests negate negate her value as a member of the council.
What I feel, and this is just my humble opinion, that attracts families and business' to a town is its cultural vibrancy, quality of schools, choice of local shops etc, the beautiful state parks, these seem valuable assets in that process of attracting companies to invest here.
Yellow Springs has already attracted new residents because of the arts, and its culture. However like anon I would LOVE to see companies choose Yellow Springs for the reasons stated. Any ideas on how to get them to relocate, build or do a start up (although hasn't there been some effort in this regard?)
and lest I be accused of self interest too (because I am in artist in town), trust me I don't profit from Yellow Springs being an art town. I couldn't feed my 6lb yorkie on what I earn as an artist here. Day trippers and villagers don't buy enough art to support individual artists.
I can keep on dreaming though ;)
Post a Comment